Astrov is a Sholai scout in Geneforge 1. At the time that he encounters the Playable Character, he is hiding in a cave in the Wooded Valley near Pentil behind a door guarded by Sniff. The PC can only be admitted if he brings a letter from Masha.
Like Masha, his name means star. He is 'a small man, thin and nimble'; less musuclar than other Sholai warriors, but 'quite agile and fast on his feet'. He himself testifies that he is able to run fast and silently, and has always been a scout. He talks of the joy of meeting new people, and says that going on the trip to visit the Shaper lands was his greatest honour.
He knows very few words of the Terrestrian language, and so multiple lessons in the Sholai Language are required to speak to him. He will briefly recapitulate the story told to you by Masha. He adds his own frustration at being commanded by Trajkov not to explore, opining that Trajkov seemed only interested in the canisters and learning Shaper secrets. He felt that Trajkov entirely lost sight of their mission. He even told Trajkov that his plans for the Geneforge were 'mad'.
He then relates how Trajkov kidnapped Goettsch, and Trajkov's fury when the Shaper escaped with something (which Trajkov said was a glove, but Astrov does not believe him). Astrov regarded the 'final insult' as being commanded to enter the wastes to search for the Shaper. He then describes stealing the boat with Masha and Anfisa, and getting trapped by the Takers. However, Astrov and his scouts were able to escape with Masha; Masha showed them this hidden lair before returning to the Refugee Cave.
Astrov is now exploring the area, and trying to find ways to Trajkov in order to kill him. But he does not believe that the Rebel Sholai can kill him without the assistance of one with Shaper powers. He therefore seeks to use his knowledge to help the PC reach Trajkov where he is hiding in the Shaper Research Core. He says that this will require crossing the river, passing the ruins, and then finally penetrating the research halls where Trajkov waits with the Geneforge. He says that the river can be crossed on the guarded bridges, but that it might also be crossed through the mines, or through a heavily guarded pass. He then describes the two workshops and the arena. Finally, he says that Trajkov can be accessed either through the heavily-guarded south gate, or through the west gate, but that the key to the west gate has never been found. He is also able to describe the poisoned wastes to the northwest where Goettsch is hiding. He says that he is happy to provide supplies, and also helps the PC find Yu-La.
He is very highly regarded by Masha, who views him as a true explorer who desires knowledge rather than power, and who she would trust with her life. He is also the first character in the game who is able to explain what the Geneforge actually is, based on a conversation he had with Trajkov.
He states that his rebels fear the serviles and suspect them to be like the Takers, but would be happy to receive help from a sympathetic leader. He accordingly gives the quest Find Help For Astrov.
Quotations[]
On being asked to search for Goettsch: "Final insult is that he wants me to go into wastes to find Goettsch. This could not be more far from our true goals and mission! Waste my skills and life for that!" On the Geneforge: "Trajkov say, when he try to get me to hunt Goettsch, that it is combined essence of Shaper power. Crystal canisters each only change one thing in you, but Geneforge is all. The touching of it fills you, remakes you, fills you with power."